Working Outside

My Journey to an Outdoor Career

How WTA helped me gain the skills to transition from the classroom to the backcountry

By Iman Chatila

Growing up, I didn’t hike much. Now, I love it so much

I’ve made it my career — and this summer I’m working with WTA on our Lost Trails Found crew.

I was enthusiastic and curious about hiking, but it took a long time and a lot of community help to get to where I am. First, I had to overcome some obstacles, such as getting to the trailhead without a car. I began with research on how to prepare for a hike. One of my first hikes was Lake 22, which caught my interest in trip reports and photos. I suggested it to a friend who was able to drive us there. I was stunned, seeing an alpine lake for the first time! I was going through an emotional conflict at the time, and getting to reflect on that with my hiking companion was relieving. Catching up while taking in the forest was the

rejuvenating experience I was looking for. I quickly fell in love with being in the forest and the fresh air, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. I wanted to try backpacking, but again, I had to figure out how. I was living off an Americorps stipend while working with high school students. I didn’t have gear, transportation or knowledge to execute a trip on my own. I googled “Seattle backpacking workshop” and found WTA’s Outdoor Leadership Training. It was the perfect opportunity for me to transition deeper into the outdoor world and combine that with being an educator. WTA’s OLT gave me a scholarship, got me a ride to the North Cascades and loaned me the gear I needed.

I was eager to go on my first backpacking trip. We spent the first day getting to know each other and discussing planning and preparation. I learned about Leave No Trace principles, filtering water, food packing and reading a map — information that was useful to me and that I was excited to share with others.

The next day, we hiked into the backcountry to practice what we’d learned. After that trip, I knew that being an outdoor educator would allow me to combine a passion for mentoring youth with the inspiration I gained from nature. After the trip, I asked Jean, one of the WTA instructors, for an informational interview to discuss ways to move into outdoor education. Jean recommended Young Women Empowered’s Nature Connections program and I became a volunteer mentor with them.

Through Y-WE, I went hiking, snowshoeing and cross country skiing with youth. That led to a seasonal job as a wilderness instructor for the YMCA’s BOLD & GOLD program and later a job at the North Cascades Institute. Teaching youth in the backcountry brought me energy and joy. On one trip on the Olympic Coast, we had to climb steep bluffs between the forest and the shore. One by one, we pulled ourselves, plus our heavy packs, up makeshift ladders of frayed ropes and worn planks. It was something we had to do individually, but with the encouragement of the team. I felt pride and solidarity in persevering. A couple years into my outdoor career, I started to think more about the work that goes into making a trail. I wanted to try that work myself, so I joined a volunteer vacation with WTA. I enjoyed the work and wanted to keep pursuing it so I joined a chainsaw crew with Arizona Conservation Corps. As soon as I put my chaps, hardhat, safety glasses and gloves on, I felt like a professional. I learned how to put a chainsaw together, then I turned it on and cut through a log for the first time. I felt like I was challenging my gender role by running a power tool and being outside the “caregiver” duty that I embodied while supervising youth. I found that seasonal work pairs well with my love of traveling, learning technical skills and doing a variety of new hands-on tasks. I wanted to continue that work and grow as a professional,

Iman Chatila is a member of WTA’s Lost Trails Found crew this summer. They’ve spent the summer working on at-risk trails.

so I applied to the Lost Trails Found crew. I was thrilled to learn it would be a season full of backcountry camping and crosscut saw work. On our first trip, I again got the satisfaction of being part of a team, putting in long hours and seeing the before and after of our efforts.

With every log that we cleared, we unlocked another few feet of trail. Seeing the mountains in the distance while getting into the back-and-forth rhythm of the crosscut is a feeling that can’t be beat. After work we returned to camp, slipped on our comfy shoes, cooked dinner and socialized. We played card games, shared stories and laughed. I don’t know what my future holds beyond this season, but I am confident I will be inspired as the season progresses. As someone who benefited from the generosity of this community to get my outdoor career started, I hope others wanting to get involved can also find the support they need. WTA is a great place to start, whether you decide to join a work party, talk to a staff member or just use their hiker resources. There’s lots of opportunities out there, and the outdoor field can and should be accessible to anyone who is interested.

Brandon Bowers

looks at data about the insulating value of Therm-a-Rest products.

Better Gear. Smaller Footprint.

How gear companies are using innovation to leave a lighter impact on the world.

By Jessi Loerch

In just a few decades the gear we used to get outside has been completely revolutionized.

While older gear has a nostalgic charm, you’re unlikely to miss heavy, bulky packs and semi waterproof gear. With improvements in weight and durability, sustainability is becoming the newest area for innovation. These days, companies are trying to leave a lighter global footprint while giving customers what they want. Here’s how three of them are doing that.

Spokane-based GSI Outdoors puts its focus on fueling outdoor adventures. GSI was founded in 1985 with its enamelware collection. Since then, the company has grown its business to include technical, innovative, and fun outdoor cookware and gear for eating and drinking. Over time, GSI has leaned into many outdoor innovations they’re proud of, including nesting cookware, an extremely popular innovation that inspired many companies to make their own versions. They also introduced hard anodized aluminum cookware to the camping world, which upped the quality for lightweight aluminum cookware by providing a durable surface that is much easier to cook on without food sticking. They eventually expanded to stoves as well, creating a tiny backpacking stove with a large base so the pot won’t tip over. More recently, they released a car-camping stove that’s only an inch-and-a-quarter thick. Right now, their biggest focus is on sustainability. Kurt Gauss, GSI’s director of marketing and product design senior product designer, says that sustainability has always been important for GSI — he talks about the work with a lot of energy and excitement. “If we mess up the outdoors, we’ve messed up our industry,” he said. “And our children, the next generation and generations to come, we have to make it better for them.” GSI designs and builds their products to last for generations. But that’s not enough. They want to do more. Two main areas GSI is working on is reducing plastic use by switching plastic products to recycled materials by 2024. That gives Kurt, and GSI, a lot of work to do. “We have to do over 400 product conversions from virgin plastics to recycled plastics,” Kurt said. “It will probably be the most important thing I have done in my career.” GSI is also working to increase the amount of recycled metal in their steel products. By 2024, they want their stainless steel bottles to be made of recycled material. They’re also working to offset their carbon use, with a goal of offsetting more than they use by 2030. Kurt says forward thinking like this is important to the outdoor industry as a whole and that the outdoor industry can spur changes in other areas, too. “Sustainability is our future,” he said. “The outdoor industry is a bellwether to all other industries.”

He points out that the outdoor industry was able, practically overnight, to stop making materials with polycarbonate, which contains BPA, a chemical with a number of known health risks. “The outdoor industry has a huge impact on the design and sales of all consumer goods,” he said. “This is our golden opportunity to really change the world. We work in an industry that has this unique position to affect changes in all industries. We have to do as much as we can and we can’t blow it off.” While Kurt is really excited about the work with recycled and recyclable materials, he also knows it’s not the end. “Re-use will be the next challenge for our industry,” he said. “We as an industry have to figure out how to be profitable with reselling.”

An employee tests MSR stoves in the Seattle factory.

Therm-a-Rest

Therm-a-Rest is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and the company is using it as a chance to look both back and forward. Therm-a-Rest, a name that’s a type of shorthand for “outdoor sleeping pad” is part of parent company Cascade Designs, which has manufacturing facilities in Seattle. They’re proud of making mattresses that last, and appreciate that people feel a strong connection to their gear. Jeff Moberg, product line manager at Cascade Designs, was recently at an REI event where someone brought in one of the first Therm-a-Rests. “It was an old dinosaur model,” said Brandon Bowers, product manager at Cascade Designs. “But in a way, it’s still the same concept. We have just continued to make improvements that focus on giving a camper the best possible experience.” In the 50 years since Therm-a-Rest started, a lot has changed in the outdoor industry. There’s a lot more gear out there, and it’s a lot easier to find information on it.

“Someone who wants to get into the outdoors has so much more ability to get better gear now when they start out,” Brandon said. “It does seem like the advanced gear we have now makes it more interesting for people because you don’t have to suffer so much to get outdoors. The thing that has stayed the same is that people who love to get outdoors and

love to challenge themselves, they still love gear.” Like the camper at REI, many folks have held onto their Therma-a-Rest pads for years, even decades. That’s something the company is proud of. “We make products that last as long as possible, and from early on that has been a point of pride,” Brandon said. Therm-a-Rest has a repair facility in Seattle. Customers can send in their gear to get it repaired, which is one of the ways the company tries to minimize their impact. They also have deliberately chosen to make their products in the U.S., many in Seattle, where the company is based. This reduces how much fuel has to be used to move products and supplies around the world. It also gives them better control over their products because they control all aspects of the manufacturing. They’re also working to increase their use of recycled materials — and recycle or repurpose their own materials. Therm-aRest is starting to use recycled materials as often as possible, including in their sleeping bags. They’re looking into using recycled materials in their pads as well, but they are proceeding carefully to ensure the new materials will last. They’re also working with other companies to make use of extra materials that would otherwise just sit on their shelves. One way they’ve gotten creative with what could have been waste product is with their pillows. Therm-a-Rest makes selfinflating pillows using open-cell foam. To produce these, scrap foam from sleeping pads is shredded and then stuffed into the pillow. Brandon and Jeff are excited to think about the innovations to come in the future — and the pandemic has made it extra clear how important that time outdoors is for people. They’re thinking about those new campers, and looking forward to meeting their needs in the future.

REI

REI is an undisputed leader in the outdoor industry — and it’s using that position of influence to help drive changes. “We believe innovation can play an important role in bringing about solutions to tough social and environmental challenges,” said Greg Gausewitz, REI’s senior sustainability product manager. Greg explains that for REI, innovation around sustainability takes two routes. First, with their REI Co-op brand products and second, by supporting sustainable changes via their relationships with other outdoor companies. For their own REI gear, the company has been a Bluesign system partner for more than a decade. Bluesign works to eliminate harmful substances in the production of textiles. It also works to ensure that the whole process of production is safe for the environment, workers and consumers. REI’s newest line of boots, for instance, include recycled and bio-based materials that are more sustainable. selling used gear. That also allows folks to buy gear at a lower price. REI’s research shows that buying used versus new cuts carbon emission by 50 percent or more. REI is also trying to be creative and reduce the impact of their business in their work with partners. In 2018, they launched their product impact standards, which establish minimum sustainability requirements for any brand who wants to sell products at REI. They were the first to do so in the industry. The standards also encourage going above and beyond those standards, with additional ways of decreasing impact that REI prioritizes when deciding what to sell in their stores. “REI is in the fortunate position of getting to work with many of the world's leading brands making high-quality products and advancing more sustainable business practices,” Greg said. “We're also lucky to get to work with small, up-and-coming brands that are bringing innovative new products to market by may not initially have significant resources or know-how on sustainability. We view this as an opportunity to highlight emerging, innovative products … and to provide guidance on sustainability to emerging brands to help them embed responsible practices into their business from the beginning.”

Gear companies have made it easier for hikers to get outside safely and comfortably over the years.

Gear for good

For hikers, a solid piece of gear that helps you enjoy your time on trail is a joy. Of course, use your gear up, wear it out, repair it when you can. But when you do need to buy something, if you have the option, buying from a company that cares about sustainability can mean longer-lasting gear for you, and a lighter footprint on the natural world.

Trails for Everyone, Forever

At WTA, we envision a future where everyone who seeks nature’s splendor can

quickly find themselves outdoors. A future where trails are so abundant and high quality that anyone can use them safely and enjoyably. A future where our shared wild spaces are cherished and protected by all.

Learn more at wta.org/legacy

Help us secure this vision for the future.

Join the Legacy Circle by including WTA in your estate or will — it’s never too soon to start planning your legacy. To learn more about your giving options, contact Corinne Handelman at chandelman@wta.org.

Craig Romano has been hiking and

backpacking for decades. And while he has many fond memories from those years on trail, he’s more than happy to leave behind leather boots and external-frame packs.

Then and Now

When it comes to hiking gear, I don’t long for yesteryear.

By Craig Romano

As someone who has been on the trail for many a mile, there are

definitely aspects about the “good ole days” that I miss. Wellmaintained Forest Service roads and fewer traffic backups. Better campsite availability. Fewer fees to access trails. Kennedy Hot Springs (buried by a landslide). But one thing I don’t miss is the gear. For gear, we are hiking in the best of times. Thanks to affordable, lightweight performance gear, I am doing some of my longest and most challenging hikes now — 40 years after I first started hiking. I recall with no nostalgia how miserable I used to be backpacking with a ridiculously heavy load — often suffering through wet and cold due to inadequate gear and clothing. So join me as I reflect on the gear and gadgets that I don’t miss one bit — and express my gratitude for the gear that gets me out there today.

THE PAST

Old footwear was heavy, hard to break in, made your feet sweat and, even with the required socks and sock liners, caused countless blisters.

BACKPACKS

TODAY

I hike almost exclusively in trail running shoes and lightweight low top boots that breathe, dry out rapidly and are super comfortable. And they require a single pair of durable, lightweight poly-blend socks.

THE PAST

While some old timers love their external frame packs, I don’t. They were heavy, held onto odors and chafed your back or shoulders. Durability wasn’t great either — the zippers rusted and the material broke down in the sun.

TODAY

I love the array of durable form-fitting packs available today — including frames for women and body-hugging running packs. You can even find waterproof packs!

THE PAST

My old backpacking stove weighed nearly two pounds and I got quite an upper body workout priming it.

SLEEPING BAGS AND PADS

THE PAST

My huge sleeping bag was cumbersome and had to be attached to the outside of my pack, where it was exposed to the elements. My blue pad also used to dangle from the outside of my pack and snag bushes.

TODAY

My MSR Pocket Rocket weighs 3 ounces and the isobutane propane fuel is lighter than white gas.

TODAY

My lightweight down bag squishes to the size of a water bottle and is safely stuffed in my pack. My lightweight sleeping pad is just a tad larger than my sleeping bag.

THE PAST

I remember hefting flashlights and big heavy D batteries. Then I remember how excited I was to get my first headlamp, even though it was huge and the alkaline battery was heavy.

NAVIGATION

TODAY

Modern headlamps put out an amazingly strong light and half the time you don’t even know you’re wearing the darn thing because they’re lighter than a hat.

THE PAST

A good ol’ fashioned map has always been in my pack — and it still is, on every trip.

TODAY

While I have wholeheartedly embraced GPS, maps — specifically Green Trails Maps — always come with me. A GPS can’t show the big picture of a landscape. When used with a map however, it’s a perfect combination.